Description
This 1906 Type XII Autocar was built by the Autocar Company. Originally it was formed as the Pittsburgh Motor Vehicle Company by brothers Lewis S., John S. and James K. Clarke along with their father Charles and friend William Morgan in 1897. In 1900, the Clarkes moved their venture to nearby Ardmore and changed the name to Autocar. In 1901 they produced what is considered to be this country’s first multi-cylinder, shaft driven car. Initial sales brochures touted that it “cannot blow up or burn up”, as well as its ease of control. The company introduced commercial vehicles to their offerings in 1907, a move that proved disastrous to their passenger cars. By 1912, Autocar’s production was entirely commercial vehicles, and they would remain so until White bought Autocar in 1953. In 1982 the company was bought by Volvo.
The 1906 Type XII Touring car has a 24 horsepower, four-cylinder engine. 100 inch wheelbase automobile. Price new: $2,600.
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